Man charged after crashing into Highland Park Fuddruckers

A worker cleans up debris in frigid temperatures Monday after a car crashed into the Fuddruckers in Highland Park late Sunday night. (Gregory Trotter, Chicago Tribune)

A Deerfield man was charged last week with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property after police said he intentionally rammed his car into the Fuddruckers restaurant in Highland Park.

Robert L. Meisinger, 24, of the 1400 block of Hazel Avenue in Deerfield, hit two other vehicles – one in Deerfield and one in Highland Park -- with his 2000 Buick Century before crashing into the Fuddruckers building at 1538 Clavey Road at about 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, causing extensive damage to an exterior wall, according to Highland Park police.

In a news release, police said their investigation led them to determine that Meisinger's "actions were intentional." The charges he faces are both felonies.

In a recent interview, Highland Park Deputy Police Chief David Schwarz declined to comment on what motive Meisinger may have had.

"It's my understanding that he was an employee at another Fuddruckers at a previous time," Schwarz said, "but there's doesn't appear to be any nexus between what happened and any issues with Fuddruckers."

A Fuddruckers official would not confirm Meisinger's previous employment with the company.

Meisinger fled the scene on foot after the crash but was later found in Northbrook and was taken to Highland Park Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said. No one else was injured.

Meisinger was scheduled to appear in Lake County Circuit Court for a bond review on Jan. 7.